Across The Nation
Refresh: 2023 Open Bible National Convention
Attendees came ready to worship! The anointed praise team from The King’s University did a great job allowing the Holy Spirit to move in our time of prayer and worship.
Several convention-goers got a head start on convention fun by attending a Texas Rangers baseball game Monday evening.
On Tuesday, attendees were treated to Texas BBQ, compliments of Central Region.
On Tuesday evening Michael Hines, pastor of Foundations Church in Williamsburg, Virginia, shared a profound message of how God speaks to us through our wilderness experiences. Later that evening comedian Jason Earls reminded us that laughter is good for the soul.
On Wednesday evening President Randall Bach shared beautifully how God used him throughout his life even in the times he did not feel qualified. He also reminded the congregation that “we cannot afford to become just cerebral concerning the things of God. We have to walk in and pursue them through the Spirit. We must press in to receive what the Spirit of God has for us.”
Barbara Bach hosted a women’s session that featured specific mother/daughter teams who shared wisdom for the next generation. Barbara also hosted Barbara’s Frenz, a time for women to chat with Barbara and each other over a cup of coffee.
For his 35 years of dutiful service to MOVE Ministries and his unfailing love for its men, Pastor Don Porter of Stuart, Iowa, was given a leadership award at the men’s session.
J. Randy Grimes was posthumously awarded the Frank W. Smith award as an educator; regional and district youth director, district director; Bible college board member, national board member, regional board member; mentor to United Theological Seminary students, equipper and sender of young leaders; lead pastor of Open Bible Christian Center in Dayton, Ohio, for 45 years.
Michael Nortune was selected to become Open Bible’s next president. He greeted the group and shared his vision to reach young leaders telling them, “It’s not just your turn; it’s your time.” He challenged them to “prepare for, pursue, and possess” God’s calling.
Wednesday Church Planting Lunch
Attendees got to meet some of our church planters and were encouraged to each do something to assist and encourage our courageous church planters.
Honoring the Bachs
On Wednesday evening a reception was held to honor Randall and Barbara Bach for over 51 years of faithful and fruitful ministry through and to Open Bible Churches.
Thursday Global Missions Lunch
Convention goers were treated to reports from and appearances of missionaries and field directors from around the world! One highlight was hearing from our team in Ukraine.
This year 26 Open Bible credentialed ministers received a 25-Year award for 25 years of ministry with Open Bible Churches. Nine Open Bible credentialed ministers received a 50-year award for 50 years of uninterrupted ministry with Open Bible.
Workshops
On Wednesday afternoon Kwabea Francis, co-leader of Open Bible’s Unity Commission and Director of Operations, South Region, for Marketplace Chaplains, held a workshop titled “Looks Like Jesus is the Goal.”
On Thursday afternoon, Darrick Young, pastor of Journey Church of the Open Bible in Urbandale, Iowa, led a workshop called “Faith, Sexuality, and Gender.”
Journey Church Dream Team
A huge thank you to Journey Church in Urbandale, Iowa. Their dedicated team of volunteers worked tirelessly behind the scenes, ensuring every detail was taken care of from setting up for the conference to leading the youth track to cleanup!
Childcare
Members of Vision Open Bible Church in Arlington, Texas, did a stellar job of providing childcare for the convention.
Field Directors Congress
Before the convention approximately 90 field directors and missionaries from around the world attended the Field Directors’ Congress.
To view a complete gallery of the 2023 Convention photos, please visit:
https://cavanphotography.pixieset.com/refresh23/day2/
All photos by Chris Cavan
Many attendees commented that they really did feel refreshed after this convention –
“Refresh has been fun, relaxing, encouraging, and a blessing to connect with like-minded women and men of God.” Kwabea Francis
“It was a wonderful time getting together with colleagues and friends, conducting some business, and recharging our spiritual batteries. God’s presence was felt throughout the conference, and we expect to experience that same refreshing and renewing back home.” Mike Juntunen
“There are countless blessings from Open Bible’s national convention in Dallas. It is so great to reconnect with friends and make new friends. What stands out far and above everything else is this brotherhood of men we call MOVE. The dedication to each other and the ministry never ceases to amaze me.” Aaron Keller
“It was wonderful to reconnect with those we love and respect [and] to see and hear testimonies from around the world. I was reminded of the importance of making an effort to come (even to the business meetings). I feel a fresh energy that sounds promising to carrying the DNA and heartbeat of Open Bible.” Danielle Smith
“Have to say that Refresh2023 Open Bible National Convention is definitely one of the BEST! Love all the presentations, modifications, connections. The Lord is moving in Open Bible Churches! We will continue to follow His lead to make disciples, develop leaders, and plant churches.” Dara Rasavanh
“To be in a room with pastors and missionaries from all over the world in worship is a piece of heaven. Such a sweet, sweet sound.” Jan Matthews
On September 19-21, pastors from around the country gathered for the 2024 Open Bible National Hispanic Conference, held in Antioch, California. Attendees of the conference numbered close to one hundred and represented nineteen different Open Bible churches. Templo Santo Community Church was the hosting church for the conference, and our theme was “CHANGED: Transformed to Transform.” We were blessed with the presence of powerful speakers: President Michael Nortune, Dr. Nicholas Venditti, and Pastors John Mendez, Michael Zakarian, and Caleb Plummer.
The Church as a whole, the Open Bible denomination, and Hispanic Ministries are needed for such a time as this.
The conference started with a welcome dinner where pastors and leaders were able to reconnect with old friends and connect with new friends who were first-time attenders. We had a powerful night of worship during which President Nortune spoke a prophetic word about entering a new season. God has opened a wide door for Open Bible, and new opportunities are on the horizon for our ministries.
Throughout the following days, we heard challenging messages on embracing our vision (Dr. Venditti), navigating culturing changes (Pastor Mendez), loving and embracing the next generation (Pastors Zakarian and Plummer), and depending on the presence of God (President Nortune). In addition to these incredible sessions, we had the opportunity to explore the beautiful city of San Francisco and the surrounding areas.
In our closing session, Pastor Mendez encouraged us that we were chosen for this time in history. The Church as a whole, the Open Bible denomination, and Hispanic Ministries are needed for such a time as this.
As we concluded with a time for more fellowship, here are a few of the things we heard people saying:
“This conference exceeded my expectations.”
“I felt the love and unity within the Hispanic Ministries.”
“The messages were relevant for our time.”
“Best conference ever!”
We look forward to what God has in store for Open Bible’s Hispanic Ministries. We believe that a door has been opened for our dream to come to life – having a Hispanic ministry in every state in this nation.
About the Author
Jorge Navarrete
Jorge Navarrete was appointed as the senior pastor of Templo Santo Community Church in May 2002. Prior to that, he served as youth pastor, Sunday school teacher, member of the Board of Elders, and as church administrator for Templo Santo. In May 2017, Jorge was appointed to serve in his current role as Director of the Hispanic Ministries for the West Sector. Pastor Navarrete also works for the Supreme Court of California as the Clerk/Executive Officer. He has served in this role since 2016.
There are over 10,000 homeless citizens in Lee County, Florida, but thanks to a creative nonprofit idea and a fully sponsored shower trailer, Open Bible Community Church (OBCC) has found a unique way to serve them.
Located in North Fort Myers, OBCC is pastored by Joe and Pat VanEst. When Hurricane Ian hit their county in 2022 and homelessness exploded, pastors Joe and Pat responded by founding “Hope Ambassadors,” a nonprofit designed to empower individuals through disaster relief and ongoing rehabilitative efforts.
Beginning by providing food and hygiene kits to homeless communities, the team soon realized there was a need for showering facilities. Through a string of miracles and one philanthropic donor, a shower trailer was purchased, and Hope Ambassadors now owns the only shower trailer in Southwest Florida. Housing two rooms and ten total shower units, the trailer visits two homeless communities twice a week and has already provided nearly 500 showers to families in need.
“This has totally changed the thinking of our church,” says Pastor Joe VanEst. “We are building relationships with these folks, and it’s only a matter of time until we can share Jesus with them.” Already, the church has seen growth from visitors who have come to church after using the shower trailer.
Hope Ambassadors is quickly building relationships with other local nonprofits that provide services like haircuts, food, and clothing. Future dreams include creating a commercial kitchen that would create nutritious, freeze-dried meals for hungry families. Hope Ambassadors’ mission statement is “To heal communities in the spirit of unity,” and thanks to God’s grace and provision, they are well on their way.
“This has totally changed the thinking of our church”
Rehoboth Open Bible Church has stood strong for forty-five years. Our journey began in the cozy apartment living room of Revs. Easton and Joy Grant in Brooklyn, New York, with seven adults and seven children. As the years passed and our congregation flourished, outgrowing the capacity of two hundred set by the NYC Department of Buildings, the church initiated a second service in 1998 and began an arduous search for a new, larger home, a journey that has tested our determination and resilience.
Finding a suitable space to meet [in Brooklyn] is daunting, with people seeming to occupy every square inch
Brooklyn, one of the most densely populated counties in the United States, presents a unique set of challenges for churches. Finding a suitable space to meet is daunting, with people seeming to occupy every square inch. There are no new spaces for churches in New York. Currently existing churches were originally built in the 1800s, often by Catholics and Presbyterians; modern churches must convert commercial spaces or purchase existing spaces occupied by older churches or temples. Even when property can be found, political and business environs do not want such valuable real estate removed from the tax roll and often restrict access by religious non-profit organizations. Thus, most churches in Brooklyn are classified as storefronts, utilizing small commercial retail spaces or the front rooms of homes.
When we were appointed as pastors of Rehoboth in 2011, the search for a larger facility was already ongoing. Four months into our role, we drove by a former Jewish temple on 888 East 56th Street which had a sign saying, “For Sale or Triple Net Lease.” Despite our uncertainty, we called the listed number and met with the owner.
Most of the property was in a deplorable condition, requiring eyes of faith to visualize its value. Based on the redlining lending practices of the neighborhood and commercial banks’ refusal to lend to churches, the likelihood of acquisition was slim to none. Negotiations were painful, but after numerous meetings and much prayer, two years later we achieved an owner-seller financing purchase. That was the first miracle in the journey to 888, since we would not have been able to qualify for financing on the open market.
The purchase consumed all the church’s savings and more. Despite this, God provided monthly mortgage payments of $16.1k while funding the church’s day-to-day operations, our second miracle.
888 East 56th Street is more than a building. It continues the legacy of bringing Rehoboth’s soul to life.
We launched a three-year capital campaign in 2015 that proved God’s power in Rehoboth’s life at a new level. Like Gideon, God used a small group to catch the vision, amassing funds exceeding the pledged amount by nearly forty percent! God’s faithfulness gave birth to the third miracle – providing the equity needed to match our upcoming construction loan.
In 2019, six years after purchasing the property, we obtained a construction loan and refinanced the seller’s note at a lower interest rate, providing more funds for renovation – miracle number four.
With much excitement after the groundbreaking in December 2019, construction began in March 2020. Three weeks in, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, sending NYC spiraling. The city that never sleeps shut down tight for three months. While COVID-19 kept us all enclosed, our property renovations were in limbo. Unattended projects suffered, material prices quadrupled, and labor costs followed suit.
The challenge of dealing with unscrupulous consultants, renegotiating contracts, finding new subcontractors, confronting disfavored lending practices, and seeking to manage construction timelines was an enormous feat. But God provided miracle after miracle by granting favor, stretching finances, creating new alliances, empowering us with new boldness to advocate, and providing the changes we needed while keeping our integrity intact. As one major devious player on the project stated, “With all that I have done, you should not be here. I know God is with you.” To which we say, “Yes, Amen!” God is with us.
On Palm Sunday, March 24, 2024, we held our final service at our previous address. Afterward, we marched to 888 East 56th Street with a police escort and a drumline, waving palm branches and flags in joyous jubilation. Our seniors who were unable to walk traveled via cars behind the marchers. All reveled in the moment, singing and giving God thanks as we beheld the miracle on East 56th Street and rejoiced in what God had done!
Upon arrival, we introduced ourselves to the community, recited Psalm 24, opened the doors, and let the King of Glory in! We then held our first service at 888, celebrating jubilantly the fulfillment of the biblical promise our church name represents. The founders of our church chose the name “Rehoboth,” taken from Genesis 26:22:
And he moved from there and dug another well, and they did not quarrel over it. So, he called its name Rehoboth because he said, ‘For now the Lord has made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land’ (NKJV).
888 East 56th Street is more than a building. It continues the legacy of bringing Rehoboth’s soul to life, providing room to become, belong, and believe for those who are here and those who are yet to come. What God said with His mouth, He has fulfilled with His hands this day for His glory. He has made room for us!
About the Author
Leroy and Dalton Spencer
Leroy and Dalton Spencer are the lead pastors at Rehoboth Open Bible Church, in Brooklyn, New York. They have been members of Rehoboth for over 25 years, serving in various capacities before assuming the helm in 2011. They are passionate about advancing the kingdom of God, prayer, and caring for the sheep with a good shepherd’s heart. Leroy and Dalton believe people are our greatest asset and fully embrace the mandate to bring them to maturity by equipping them with the Word and life skills.
